ELONGATED PHOTORECEPTOR OUTER SEGMENT LENGTH AND PROGNOSIS OF CHRONIC CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY

New high-resolution prototype versus standard spectralis optical coherence tomography in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy

PURPOSE

To assess the accuracy of High-Resolution OCT in detecting biomarkers associated with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) compared to standard OCT.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study involving CSC patients who underwent High-Resolution and standard OCT during the same visit. Using the SPECTRALIS High-Res OCT device (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany), macular B-scans were obtained and compared with those acquired using a SPECTRALIS HRA + OCT device (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). Qualitative assessments were performed, and statistical analyses compared the performance of both OCT modalities.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients diagnosed with CSC were included with a mean age of 56.3 years (± 10.2). Among them, 29% (n = 9) were classified as acute CSC (aCSC), while 71% (n = 22) had chronic CSC (cCSC). High-Resolution OCT outperformed standard OCT in detecting microstructural changes in the outer retinal layers, including a higher prevalence of disrupted interdigitation zone (IZ) (29% vs. 6%, p = 0.003) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) disruption (12% vs. 2%, p = 0.0024). Intergrader agreement was high (Cohen's Kappa = 0.85).

CONCLUSION

High-Resolution OCT demonstrates promise in identifying critical biomarkers associated with CSC, particularly disruptions in the IZ and RPE. Further validation in larger cohorts is required to confirm their clinical relevance in patients with CSC.

BASELINE SPECTRAL DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHIC RETINAL LAYER FEATURES IDENTIFIED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE PREDICT THE COURSE OF CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY

PURPOSE

To identify optical coherence tomography (OCT) features to predict the course of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) with an artificial intelligence-based program.

METHODS

Multicenter, observational study with a retrospective design. Treatment-naïve patients with acute CSC and chronic CSC were enrolled. Baseline OCTs were examined by an artificial intelligence-developed platform (Discovery OCT Fluid and Biomarker Detector, RetinAI AG, Switzerland). Through this platform, automated retinal layer thicknesses and volumes, including intaretinal and subretinal fluid, and pigment epithelium detachment were measured. Baseline OCT features were compared between acute CSC and chronic CSC patients.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixty eyes of 144 patients with CSC were enrolled, of which 100 had chronic CSC and 60 acute CSC. Retinal layer analysis of baseline OCT scans showed that the inner nuclear layer, the outer nuclear layer, and the photoreceptor-retinal pigmented epithelium complex were significantly thicker at baseline in eyes with acute CSC in comparison with those with chronic CSC ( P < 0.001). Similarly, choriocapillaris and choroidal stroma and retinal thickness (RT) were thicker in acute CSC than chronic CSC eyes ( P = 0.001). Volume analysis revealed average greater subretinal fluid volumes in the acute CSC group in comparison with chronic CSC ( P = 0.041).

CONCLUSION

Optical coherence tomography features may be helpful to predict the clinical course of CSC. The baseline presence of an increased thickness in the outer retinal layers, choriocapillaris and choroidal stroma, and subretinal fluid volume seems to be associated with acute course of the disease.

Early versus delayed photodynamic therapy for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy

PURPOSE

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) patients are sometimes referred to Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) with very long-term disease. The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of PDT in CSCR eyes with long-standing disease.

METHODS

The medical records of the patients that underwent PDT for CSCR between 2009 and 2019 were reviewed. Cases were divided into two groups based on the duration of disease before PDT treatment: early treatment (3 to 6 months) and delayed treatment (longer than 6 months). The treatment was defined as successful when the subfoveal fluid was absorbed during follow-up.

RESULTS

The PDT treatment was successful in 76% and 77% of eyes in the early and delayed treatment groups, respectively. Both groups showed significant improvement in central retina measurements at the 3-months follow-up which persisted to the last follow-up visit. The visual acuity (VA) at baseline was significantly worse in the delayed treatment group (0.5 ± 0.26 vs. 0.3 ± 0.24, P = 0.042) and improved in both groups but remained low in the delayed treatment group during the study.

CONCLUSION

We suggest that if CSCR is not spontaneously improving over 3 months the patient should be offered PDT, to prevent VA loss from the long-term presence of subretinal fluid in the macula. PDT is not associated with loss of vision in eyes with chronic CSCR, and can be safely used in eyes with relatively good VA.

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF CHOROIDAL MORPHOLOGY USING MULTIMODAL IMAGING IN ACUTE AND PERSISTENT CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY

PURPOSE

To analyze quantitative differences in choroidal morphology between acute and persistent central serous chorioretinopathy using multimodal images.

METHODS

Ultra-widefield indocyanine green angiography (UWICGA) and optical coherence tomography images of 72 eyes of 72 patients with acute (32 eyes) and persistent (40 eyes) central serous chorioretinopathy were collected. Choroidal thickness, area, vessel density, symmetry, and intervortex anastomosis were assessed.

RESULTS

The choroidal area on optical coherence tomography B-scan images was smaller and the choroidal vessel density on UWICGA images was lower in the persistent group ( P < 0.001 and P = 0.028, respectively). Choroidal vessel density on UWICGA showed positive correlation with that of vortex ampullae (all P ≤ 0.046). The constitution of the intervortex anastomosis and dominant vessels in the macular area showed differences between the groups ( P = 0.014 and P = 0.010, respectively), with greater inferonasal vessel participation in the anastomosis and combined superotemporal and inferotemporal vessels as dominant vessels in the persistent groups.

CONCLUSION

Acute and persistent central serous chorioretinopathy differed in subfoveal choroidal area, choroidal vessel density, and intervortex anastomosis constitution on UWICGA images. Choroidal vessel density on UWICGA images correlated with that of vortex ampullae. These findings enhance our understanding of the pathophysiology of central serous chorioretinopathy subtypes.

Full-Thickness Macular Hole: Are Supra-RPE Granular Deposits Remnants of Photoreceptors Outer Segments? Clinical Implications

PURPOSE

To describe the presence of specific morphological characteristics of idiopathic, full-thickness macular hole (MH) potentially influencing postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and surgical outcomes.

DESIGN

Retrospective, multicenter and interventional case series.

METHODS

Clinical charts and multimodal imaging pictures of 149 eyes of 143 consecutive patients diagnosed with MH, treated surgically and with a minimum follow-up of 12 months, were reviewed.

RESULTS

Supra-retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) granular deposits were diagnosed in 121 of 149 eyes (81.2%). A smooth morphology was identified in 58 of 149 eyes (38.9%), whereas a bumpy border was present 91 of 149 eyes (61.1%). Photoreceptor disruption was mainly located close to the MH aperture. In 8% of the included cases, preoperative anatomical progression from smooth to bumpy morphology was noted. The presence of supra-RPE granular deposits was a significant predictor of lower postoperative BCVA only in univariate analysis (P < .001). The presence of a bumpy border was significantly correlated with lower postoperative BCVA in both univariate and multivariate analysis (P < .001). BCVA gain was significantly lower in MH with bumpy borders (P < .001). A bumpy border was also significantly associated with poor postoperative anatomical restoration (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Supra RPE-granular deposits and a bumpy morphology may be indicators of photoreceptor disruption in MH. A bumpy morphology may suggest deeper and potentially irreversible photoreceptor damage, and may negatively influence both functional and anatomical recovery.

Outcomes of retinal pigment epithelial detachment in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease: a longitudinal analysis

Background

The aim of this study was to report the clinical profile and outcomes of retinal pigment epithelial detachment (PED) in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease, and to evaluate the correlation between PED and the subsequent development of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) throughout the whole corticosteroid treatment course.

Methods

The retrospective study enrolled a total of 470 eyes with VKH, and 12 eyes with VKH and PED were recruited. Patients were divided into two groups according to the CSC onset or not throughout the whole course (the CSC group and non-CSC group). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improvement, and PED angle (PEDA, the angle between the two lines of the vertex of the lifted retinal pigment epithelium to the two edge points of the Bruch membrane) were compared between the two groups.

Results

CSC developed at the site of the PED in 5 of the 12 eyes with PED, while in the remaining 7 eyes PED gradually resolved following therapy. The prevalence of PED and CSC in VKH was 2.55% (12/470) and 1.06% (5/470), respectively. BCVA improvement in the non-CSC group was greater than that in the CSC group, but without a statistical difference (P = 0.25). PEDA was significantly smaller in the CSC group than in the non-CSC group (P = 0.03).

Conclusion

PEDA is an ideal parameter to reflect hydrostatic pressure and stretches for RPE. As PED predisposes to the development of CSC in selected VKH eyes, PEDA may be a valuable predictive factor for the development of classic CSC in VKH cases.

Photoreceptor outer segment layer contributes to optical coherence tomography signal attenuation beneath neurosensory detachments

PURPOSE

To establish the factors responsible for attenuation of the optical coherence tomography (OCT) signal beneath the neurosensory detachment (NSD).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 33 eyes with acute central serous chorioretinopathy. The thickness of the neurosensory retina, the thickness of the photoreceptor outer segment (PROS) layer, the height of the NSD, and the reflectivity of the underlying retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) were measured at selected points of B-scans exported from 6 × 6 mm OCT angiography protocols. The intensity of the flow signal was measured at the corresponding regions of the choriocapillaris slab. The correlation between the parameters of the NSD and both the reflectivity of underlying RPE and the intensity of the flow signal in the choriocapillaris was calculated.

RESULTS

Correlation coefficients between RPE reflectivity and neurosensory retinal thickness, PROS layer thickness, and NSD height were -0.32, -0.64, and -0.25, respectively (p < 0.001). Correlation coefficients between the intensity of the flow signal and neurosensory retinal thickness, PROS layer thickness, and NSD height were -0.24 (p = 0.004), -0.52 (p < 0.001), and 0.13 (p = 0.13), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The thickness of the PROS layer is the most significant factor affecting OCT signal at the level of RPE and OCT angiography flow signal in the choriocapillaris beneath the NSD.

Predicting persistent central serous chorioretinopathy using multiple optical coherence tomographic images by deep learning

We sought to predict whether central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) will persist after 6 months using multiple optical coherence tomography (OCT) images by deep convolutional neural network (CNN). This was a multicenter, retrospective, cohort study. Multiple OCT images, including B-scan and en face images of retinal thickness (RT), mid-retina, ellipsoid zone (EZ) layer, and choroidal layer, were collected from 832 eyes of 832 CSC patients (593 self-resolving and 239 persistent). Each image set and concatenated set were divided into training (70%), validation (15%), and test (15%) sets. Training and validation were performed using ResNet50 CNN architecture for predicting CSC requiring treatment. Model performance was analyzed using the test set. The accuracy of prediction was 0.8072, 0.9200, 0.6480, and 0.9200 for B-scan, RT, mid-retina, EZ, and choroid modalities, respectively. When image sets with high accuracy were concatenated, the accuracy was 0.9520, 0.8800, and 0.9280 for B-scan + RT, B-scan + EZ, and EZ + RT, respectively. OCT B-scan, RT, and EZ en face images demonstrated good performances for predicting the prognosis of CSC using CNN. The performance improved when these sets were concatenated. The results of this study can serve as a reference for choosing an optimal treatment for CSC patients.

Long term outer retinal changes in central serous chorioretinopathy submitted to half-dose photodynamic therapy

PURPOSE

To evaluate long-term changes in the foveal and parafoveal outer retina after half-dose photodynamic therapy (HD-PDT) in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).

METHODS

Retrospective study including CSC patients submitted to HD-PDT. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was evaluated. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography automatic segmentation algorithm was used and data on retinal, inner retinal, outer retinal and outer nuclear layers (ONL) in both foveal 1 mm (C) and parafoveal 3 mm ETDRS circles for the superior, nasal, inferior and temporal sectors, were obtained at baseline and 3, 12 and 24 months post-treatment. Subfoveal choroidal thickness, photoreceptors' outer segment thickness, subretinal fluid (SRF) height and width were also measured.

RESULTS

Twenty-one eyes of 15 patients were included. At baseline, the mean ONL thickness in the foveal area was significantly thinner in affected eyes compared to their fellow unaffected ones (55,50 ± 32,75 μm vs 93,00 ± 17,0 μm; p = 0,011), and was negatively correlated to logMAR BCVA (R=-0,601, p = 0,008) ONL thickness increased by 10,94 ± 11,88 μm at 24 months in the foveal area, and all the parafoveal sectors presented a similar increase. Baseline SRF width was significantly correlated with baseline BCVA (R1 = 0,483, p = 0,036), and with ONL thickness in all sectors.

CONCLUSION

In our study we found a significant long-term increase in foveal and parafoveal ONL thickness in CSC after HD-PDT, suggesting that this seems to be a safe treatment for the outer retina. This is the first study mapping the outer retinal changes in the macular area to 24 months follow up.

Outer Nuclear Layer as the Main Predictor to Anatomic Response to Half Dose Photodynamic Therapy in Chronic Central Serous Retinopathy

PURPOSE

To evaluate the predictors for subretinal fluid resorption in patients with chronic central serous retinopathy (cCSR) submitted to half-dose photodynamic therapy (HD-PDT).

METHODS

Observational, longitudinal, and retrospective study of patients with cCSR submitted to HD-PDT in a tertiary ophthalmology department in Portugal between January 2015 and February 2018. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and SD-OCT at baseline and 12 ± 3 months after treatment were performed. The central macular thickness (CMT), outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness, integrity of the external limiting membrane (ELM), ellipsoid (EZ) and interdigitation zone (IZ), subretinal fluid (SFR) height, and choroidal thickness (CT) were evaluated. Patients were classified into responders and nonresponders based on SRF resorption.

RESULTS

Sixty-one eyes of 42 patients were included; 75.4% were classified as responders. Final BCVA was significantly better in responders (p=0.002). The baseline ONL was thicker (p < 0.01) and intact ELM (67.2% vs. 16.4%), EZ (49.2% vs. 8.2%), and IZ (31.2% vs. 1.6%) were more prevalent in responders than in nonresponders. Anatomic response was correlated with a thicker ONL (rs (59) = 0.416, p=0.001 ∗ ), intact ELM (rs (59) = 0.261, p=0.04 ∗ ), EZ (rs (59) = 0.278, p=0.03 ∗ ), and IZ (rs (59) = 0.318, p=0.01 ∗ ). Binary logistic regression showed that a thicker ONL thickness increased the chance of an anatomic response to HD-PDT. The other evaluated retinal layers did not have statistical significance in the binary regression model.

CONCLUSIONS

cCSR responders to HD-PDT have a better final BCVA, a thicker baseline ONL, and an intact baseline ELM, EZ, and IZ. However, ONL was the only predictor in a logistic regression model for SRF resorption.